Acer Predator 17X GX-791 charger disconnecting repeatedly

Dragostini · March 2020

I've seen some other similar posts that have lead me to no help. What's happening is a seemingly random sudden disconnect/reconnect of the charger, when the system is under load. However, I can't actually been able to pinpoint -what- kind of load...I have tried testing all of my hardware, and can't actually figure it out. It's not temperature based...I've pushed this system to its limits and kept within safe operating temperatures / if in turbo mode, it will throttle down accordingly, without issues. I have noted that it doesn't happen during normal use, only gaming / benchmarking tools.

I've tried holding down the power button for 30 seconds while unplugged, and then also hitting the battery reset button underneath for 5 seconds (probably more like 10).

I have no tried uninstalling ACPI drivers as there is a number of them in Driver Manager and I would want to know which specific ones (or all,) to remove.

I have also ordered a replacement charger for about $100 CDN and it should arrive next week.

Making this post to document this issue, and will update as charger arrives / testing, ACPI drivers uninstalled if someone would kindly assist as stated previously, etc.

Just making this post to start the documentation process, and keep things updated.

Thanks

CoCo_1134 · March 2020

Hi @Dragostini ,
Please uninstall the Microsoft ACPI, after that restart and check.

Image result for BATTERY DRIVERS

Dragostini · March 2020

Hi @CoCo_1134

Thanks for the clarification, I have just tried that, and then I restarted before I ran Furmark, and still faced the issue less than 50% through the standard 1080P preset test.

xapim · March 2020

@Dragostini check your battery wear your battery might even be faulty use hwinfo/battery bar pro or battery report also have you optimized windows and undervolted check here https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/577183/throttlestop-undervolt-profiles-pre-made#latest and if you have too many devices using the USB ports will also cause battery drain

Dragostini · March 2020

Hi @xapim

I have undervolted by -0.80 using Throttlestop already, forgot to report that. No effect.

I just checked battery using HWinfo and it reports only 7.3% wear level -- nothing else seems out of place.

I recently installed an NVME 1TB drive into the laptop and have also checked it, nothing faulty.

xapim · March 2020

Are u using the ts conf for your own cpu - .80 seems too low to me the normal its -125 to start with and what temps are u getting and forget benchmarks and stress tests they aren't accurate for normal use what really counts it real gaming behaviour

Dragostini · March 2020

@xapim I manually set to -0.80 and did not bother trying further. I shouldn't have to undervolt in the first place to fix a $4000 dollar laptop that is only 3 years old... And if -0.80 has no result whatsoever, then the problem is bigger than an undervolt...

Edit: I just tried -125 for core and cache (CPU). No change, ran Furmark and had issue reoccur.

xapim · March 2020

Well sorry to disagree with you but all 2027/18 predators have thermal issues you need to optimize windows and undervolt it and if still needed needed repaste it with kryonaut or similar its the only solution doesn't matters if it's costed 4000 USD or whatever price they are all the same also u can't compare that 3 year old price with actual that models are discontinued so its up to you to either accept the advices I have given to fix it yourself or leave it as it is but again 3 years old price has nothing to do with it it's the reality unfortunately I paid £1200 for mine 2 years ago not its not even worth half so price doesn't matter at all

Dragostini · March 2020

@xapim

As I have said, I have already undervolted (125) and windows is already optimized -- I work in IT...That's one of the first things I do on a fresh install.

This isn't a thermal issue...My temperatures never hit unsafe levels, and this happens regardless of temperatures. This happens regardless of if CPU is 50 or 80, and GPU is 50 or 85, etc. It's not temperature based, I said in my OP.

Thanks anyway for your recommendations.

xapim · March 2020

If your temps are fine and you fresh installed could very well be a hardware issue have u checked your adapter with a voltmeter to make sure its outputting the correct voltage as your battery is perfectly fine 😊

Dragostini · March 2020

@xapim This windows install is about 2 weeks old, and yes, it's not a temperature issue. Thanks though

I don't own a voltmeter and don't intend to buy one...New charger is on the way (arrives next week)

xapim · March 2020

What about what I said above is the adapter fine?? or even the mobo input does it woble when u plug it in or perhaps the cable itself is has to be something as we already ruled out the battery and any software issues

Dragostini · March 2020

I have no idea if the adapter is fine. It looks fine, no visible damage, green light is on, not making noises, not exceptionally hot...It seems fine? Won't truly know until the new one arrives.

xapim · March 2020

Oh you already ordered a new one well hopefully it's the adapter please keep us posted 👍

Dragostini · March 2020

@xapim I just realized a friend might have screwed me over. Can you / someone please confirm if the charger for the GX-791-73FH is 330w or 180W? I currently am using a 330 watt adapter that upon googling the model number, shows me its commonly used for Dell Alienware laptops...I let a friend use my laptop for 2 months...Did he break the charger and replace it like a ninja, with the wrong one?

Is this the one I should have?: https://www.adapterone.com/acer-predator-17x-gx79173fh-180w-chargeradapter-p-11808.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAhojzBRC3ARIsAGtNtHUWHjw8qZrWrHcFaKbH5oeIbHeULaMn7HZuBPghuNSRL_B9wCa35Q8aAlPSEALw_wcB

This is the one I have right now: https://www.adapterone.com/adp330ab-d-74mm-50mm-1-pin-dell-330w-chargeradapter-p-15541.html

xapim · March 2020

Dragostini said:

@xapim I just realized a friend might have screwed me over. Can you / someone please confirm if the charger for the GX-791-73FH is 330w or 180W? I currently am using a 330 watt adapter that upon googling the model number, shows me its commonly used for Dell Alienware laptops...I let a friend use my laptop for 2 months...Did he break the charger and replace it like a ninja, with the wrong one?

Is this the one I should have?: https://www.adapterone.com/acer-predator-17x-gx79173fh-180w-chargeradapter-p-11808.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAhojzBRC3ARIsAGtNtHUWHjw8qZrWrHcFaKbH5oeIbHeULaMn7HZuBPghuNSRL_B9wCa35Q8aAlPSEALw_wcB

This is the one I have right now: https://www.adapterone.com/adp330ab-d-74mm-50mm-1-pin-dell-330w-chargeradapter-p-15541.html

Can work with both depends on the gpu I guess

Just multiply the volts for the amps of the adapter u have and you will get the wattage

Dragostini · March 2020

@xapim mine has the desktop 980 8GB, so I imagine perhaps the 330 is proper then, and my replacement I've ordered -is- correct.

xapim · March 2020

Dragostini said:

@xapim mine has the desktop 980 8GB, so I imagine perhaps the 330 is proper then, and my replacement I've ordered -is- correct.

As I said check your adapter sticker and multiply the volts for the amps 👍

Dragostini · March 2020

@xapim Yeah the correct charger is on the way. I will report with more when it arrives.

However, I've been reading a LOT of acer community posts of people with various predator models (helios, 17x, 15, etc) all having this issue for the last 1-2 years predominantly...Is there any official word from Acer on the problem? I'm a little surprised at how many people have this same seemingly hardware issue happen to them.

The problem with all of the community posts too, is nobody in any single post I read, ever actually stated if they got it fixed or not, and how. Did they send it in for out-of-warranty repairs, and what was the cost? If not, did replacing anything like the charger fix it? Nobody ever reports back X_X

xapim · March 2020

Well theres nothing officially as far as im aware but also bare in mind that the 15,s and 17,s were the first predators so in my view its normal some issues might had arise at the time as it was the very beginning of the predator series its always a trial and error and they have improve a lot since then the latest models either H300/700/900 or the Tritons are really beats

and yes there are many old threads that are dead for a long time no one replied since and they are being closed as we speak due to being old and the op havent replied

Dragostini · July 2020

Hi @xapim

It turns out the issue is the mainboard....

I worked closely with an authorized Acer parts seller (the one this forum often recommends...) after I received a new charger/PSU from them, and that didn't solve the issue...They determined that it was the mainboard. It no longer is able to handle the full power of the PSU when the system is under load and needs more juice. We tested things like unplugging the battery from the mainboard, booting, and seeing what happens etc (for the record, it just results in a hard-power-off as soon as the system tries to suck in large power-draw from the PSU, if the battery is unplugged).

We don't know what part of the mainboard is the issue...Could even be something small like a transistor...But without sending the machine in to Acer for repairs, we will never know.

I was also told that this mainboard required, especially since I have the 8GB GTX 980 Model GPU, is insanely expensive...I might as well build a new machine for barely any more than replacing the mainboard would have cost me.

I am very, very disappointed in Acer Predator quality, and will never buy another Acer product again, nor ever recommend them to anyone. This laptop was $4000 4 years ago, and is now a worthless pile of scrap. That's disgusting quality and I am absolutely outraged.

Thanks for your help, I know you don't work for Acer, so I appreciate your effort nonetheless.

Acer Predator 17X GX-791 charger disconnecting repeatedly

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Acer Predator 17X GX-791 charger disconnecting repeatedly

Answers

Categories

Assistance by Acer

Swift Series Intel® Evo™

Game Pass

Acer Corner

Gaming on Chromebook

Swift Series Intel^® Evo™